"American preachers have a task more difficult, perhaps, than
those faced by us under South Africa's apartheid, or Christians
under Communism.

"We had obvious evils to engage; you have to unwrap your culture
from years of red, white and blue myth. You have to expose, and
confront, the great disconnect between the kindness, compassion
and caring of most American people, and the ruthless way
American power is experienced, directly and indirectly, by the
poor of the earth.

"You have to help good people see how they have let their
institutions do their sinning for them. This is not easy among
people who really believe that their country does nothing but
good, but it is necessary, not only for their future, but for us
all.

"All around the world there are those who long to see your human
goodness translated into a different, more compassionate way of
relating with the rest of this bleeding planet."

–Peter Storey, former president of the Methodist Church of
South Africa

What is Happening to All People: Both "The
Warred On"
And "The Warring"

The
world's largest polluter, the U.S. military, generates 750,000 tons of
toxic waste material annually, more than the five largest chemical
companies in the U.S. combined. This pollution occurs globally as the
U.S. maintains bases in dozens countries. In the U.S. there are 27,000
toxic hot spots on 8,500 military properties inside Washington's
Fairchild Air Force Base is the number one producer of hazardous waste,
generating over 13 million pounds of waste in 1997. Not only is the
military emitting toxic material directly into the air and water, it's
poisoning the land of nearby communities resulting in increased rates of
cancer, kidney disease, increasing birth defects, low birth weight, and
miscarriage.

“Between
Two Ages” : 'Technology will make available to the leaders of major
nations, techniques for conducting secret warfare, of which only a bare
minimum of the security forces need be appraised….techniques of weather
modification could be employed to produce prolonged periods of drought
or storm.'

What’s it going to take to end the illegal and unjust war and occupation
of Iraq? I believe a critical part of the answer is support for the
troops who refuse.

I
served 29 years in the US Army/Army Reserves. When my government
attacked Iraq, I was one of three US diplomats to resign in protest. I
resigned my career on principle. Today, I fully support US military
personnel who, in acts of conscience, refuse to fight in wars of
aggression.

As a
retired US Army Colonel, I know very well that the military depends on
the obedience of its service members. On the other hand, I’ve spoken
with many international law professors, attorneys, and military
personnel who have unequivocally concluded that our government’s attack
on Iraq—an oil-rich, Arab, Muslim country that had not attacked the
US—was illegal and unjustified. I agree.

Last
year I testified in Iraq War objector Army Lieutenant Ehren Watada’s
Article 32 (pre-court-martial) proceeding. I explained to the military
hearing officer that our soldiers do have a responsibility to refuse to
participate in illegal actions, and a war of aggression is an illegal
action—in fact, it is a war crime. Any soldier, sailor, airperson or
marine who comes to this same conclusion most certainly should have the
right to refuse. By law and military regulation, they are actually duty
bound to refuse. It is this duty that is at the heart of the actions
taken by most resisters.

Some
General officers on active duty during the Iraq invasion and occupation
have spoken out publicly—but after their retirements. So far it’s been
our younger servicepersons who have risked their reputations, careers,
and possibly their freedoms in challenging illegal orders and policy.
Taking a stand of conscience while in the military requires courage and
bravery. I believe we must uphold—and dare I say, encourage—these acts.

Some
resisters are speaking the truth while remaining in the military. Others
refuse to continue to participate in military service altogether and
face the consequences of that decision, whether it be a court martial or
living in another country away from family and friends.

I
have traveled to Canada several times to meet with our war resisters who
have sought sanctuary there. I know it means a lot to them knowing that
people back home support them as well.

I
hope everyone who is against this war will support Courage to Resist. It
is an organization that provides crucial help to the men and women of
our military who resist illegal war, while also organizing a powerful
movement of civilian support for this resistance.